South Korean shares ended mixed on March 12. The KOSPI fell on combined selling by foreigners and institutions, while the KOSDAQ rebounded during the session and finished up more than 1 percent.

The KOSPI closed down 26.70 points, or 0.48 percent, at 5,583.25 from the previous session. The index stayed in a downtrend and at one point slipped to the 5,520 level, but pared some losses just before the close.

By investor type, individuals were net buyers of 2.229 trillion won and institutions bought a net 57.7 billion won, supporting the index. Foreigners were net sellers of 2.3632 trillion won, dragging it down.

Among top market-cap stocks, market leader Samsung Electronics closed down 2,100 won, or 1.11 percent, at 187,900 won. SK Hynix fell 2.62 percent to 930,000 won.

Hyundai Motor fell 1.70 percent, Samsung Biologics dropped 1.93 percent and SK Square slipped 1.95 percent.

LG Energy Solution, meanwhile, surged 3.92 percent to close at 384,000 won. Hanwha Aerospace rose 3.90 percent, Doosan Enerbility gained 2.48 percent and Kia climbed 3.09 percent, holding up better in the down market.

The KOSDAQ ended up 11.57 points, or 1.02 percent, at 1,148.40. It opened lower but turned higher in the afternoon and closed stronger.

In Seoul's foreign exchange market, the won was at 1,479.90 per dollar, up 0.90 won, or 0.06 percent, from the previous session.